Gaston Garners AEC Weekly Honor Roll Recognition
Lancaster, Pa. – (9/6/2022) – Freshman setter Ayanna Gaston (Middletown, Del.) totaled four kills, 54 assists, a pair of aces, 40 digs, and five blocks (1 solo, 4 assisted) to help Gwynedd Mercy University to a 1-2 opening week. Her impressive debut performance was recognized with a mention on the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women’s Volleyball Weekly Honor Roll.
In a thrilling season-opening victory, Gwynedd Mercy University defeated Albright College (0-1) in a sensational 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 25-27, 16-14) rally. The Griffins took the opening set, 25-22, but exchanged the next three frames before coming from behind to steal the match with an opportune kill from junior outside hitter Bria Purnell (Reading, Pa.). Purnell was one of three Griffins to finish with double-digit points; fellow juniors, middle hitter Ashley Brown (Lansdale, Pa.) and outside hitter Julia Rabe (Virginia Beach, Pa.) joined her with 17.0 points (16 kills, block solo) and 13.0 points (13 kills), respectively. Gaston (22 assists) and fellow freshman setter Amanda Lopez (Houston, Texas) (23) combined for 45 assists; the former also recorded an ace, a block assist, and 16 digs.
Following the thrilling opening-day victory, Gwynedd Mercy University fell on the short side of both results at the Alvernia University Tri-Match. The Griffins first lost a competitive match with Goucher College (1-2) as the Gophers won the second (27-25) and third (25-20) sets before taking the deciding set by a 15-9 measure; L, 2-3 (25-22, 25-27, 20-25, 25-11, 9-15). Afterwards, Gwynedd Mercy University challenged the hosting Wolves, who defeated them in a three-set conclusion; 3-0 (12-25, 19-25, 20-25). Purnell led the Griffins in both matches, scoring 19.5 points (16 kills, 2 aces, 3 block assists) against the Gophers and seven (7 kills) versus the Wolves. Gaston totaled two kills, 20 assists, an ace, 20 digs, and three block assists versus the Gophers and two kills, 12 assists, four digs, and a solo block versus the Wolves.
Gwynedd Mercy University returns to action on Tuesday, September 6, when they visit Cairn University for a 7:00 p.m. match.
